Travels of an Australian Swami

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Monthly Archives: December 2012

At a recent program devotees hear, chant and remember the young gopi’s Katyayani vrata.
During the month of Margasirsa, (Nov-Dec) every day early in the morning the young gopis would take one another’s hands and singing of Krsna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krsna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers and other items.

Gita Jayanti is the anniversary of the day that Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna at the place now known as Jyotisar at Kurukshetra. There, one can see the monument of Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna (the warrior) on their chariot.

Devotees who cannot go to Jyotisar celebrate Gita Jayanti by reciting and discussing Bhagavad Gita in the association of devotees. Performing kirtan and distributing Bhagavad Gita on this day is also very auspicious.

The Bhagavad Gita was spoken to guide the conditioned soul on the path of spiritual advancement. Krsna discussed five topics: Isvara (God), Jivatma (Soul), Kala (Time), Karma (actions and reactions) and Prakriti (Nature). He said that while Kala, Prakriti, Jiva and Isvara are eternal, Karma is not.

Krsna also explained three paths of spiritual advancement: karma yoga, jnana yoga and bhakti yoga. Each one of these can lead one to liberation but Krsna described bhakti yoga as supreme and the culmination of all yogas because it brings one to the platform of pure unalloyed love of God.

The Mayan, “End of the World” kirtan concert was celebrated on Friday 21st December at Govindas Lotus Room. Of course, as devotees we know it is not the end of the world and the Mayans themselves never claimed that.

The Mayan people measured time in cycles called “baktuns” of 394 years each, and the winter solstice came on Friday Dec 21st. It marked the end of the 13th baktun. One Mayan priest stated, “It is considered the closure of the great cycle of Mayan time.” “But, of course, the cycle (14th baktun) begins the following day. For the Mayans, it’s not the end of the world.”

When one chants the holy name of The Lord one is transported to the spiritual world where beginning and end, birth and death, are all conspicuous by their absence.

Crossways in Melbourne has been operating for decades. It’s a combination of a budget restaurant and a Food for Life program. Meals are sold at, “all you can eat” cheap prices such as $5.50 for students/seniors and $7.00 for others. The menu is changed regularly but you can always get a good rice, subji, dahl, pasta, pappadam, halva and custard. Lassi and juice drinks are also provided.

There are quite a number of colleges and schools downtown and we find most of the clientele come from there. Of course, many other types of people come in as well, some from way out in the suburbs. During peak lunch period, the queue lining up at the counter can stretch right down the stairs onto the street. Around 400 people take their meals there every day even though it’s only open between 12 midday and 4pm.

For the last eight years in downtown Melbourne, on the 3rd floor of our Crossways restaurant, the devotees have run a program called “Urban Yoga.” The title is very appropriate for people who live in the city.

Traditional yoga practitioners of the past left towns and villages and went deep into forests and mountains to achieve perfection. However, Srila Prabhupada knew that people in Kali Yuga would not be inclined to do that. He devised a practical means of performing yoga, even in cities.

Every week at “Urban Yoga” there are programs for those who want to chant ancient mantras, study Vedic texts or practice asana and pranayama. Some take up japa chanting and visit the temple.

A centre was first opened up in Brisbane in 1972 by Srila Prabhupada’s disciple Upendra. That was in Milton. Since that time the temple has moved from place to place, Mary Street in the city, St Lucia, Graceville and now it is situated at Seventeen Mile Rocks next to the land we bought for development.

Over the next few years it is hoped that funds can be raised to build a community hall, asrama facilities, office/kitchen complex and car parking. At the end we plan to build a beautiful Vedic style temple for the pleasure of Their Lordships, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. We pray for Their Lordships blessings so this may be accomplished.

There are many Srila Prabhupada quotes about prasadam distribution, for example: “This prasadam distribution is very important. Do it nicely. Our main programs are prasadam and samkirtana.” ” Distribute prasadam and chant Hare Krsna. For the mass of people this is the only medicine. Lord Caitanya never spoke philosophy in public, He held kirtana and distributed prasadam.”

One time in Australia Srila Prabhupada told us, “Your country will be conquered by prasadam distribution.” Amongst the temples in Australia, Melbourne and New Govardhana stand supreme as far as prasadam distribution.

At New Govardhana the devotees go to many catering programs where they distribute prasadam to masses of people. One of the devotees who heads this is Krsnagana Das brahmacari. Two teams of three devotees travel all year from Cooktown in the North, to Tasmania in the South, averaging 40-50 catering programs a year. Tens of thousands of people from all races and ages are able to relish sumptuous prasadam of rice, subji, kofta, salad, halava and pappadam.

Wwoofers refers to “Willing workers on organic farms.” There are many people, young and old, who travel the world and stay on farms that are certified organic. For their board and food they work doing chores for 4 to 6 hours a day.

Our New Govardhana farm near Murwillumbah Australia, has had wwoofers come and stay for many years. Over the last couple of years the management has built up more lodging so that now there are 5 or 6 big bungalows and two shower blocks that can accommodate around 40.

The wwoofers work hard in the gardens and paddocks to help grow flowers, vegetables and fruits. They come up to the temple three times a day for prasadam, which the devotees happily provide. Many of them attend our festivals and morning program.

Recently I attended the Sunday program at Govindas in Brisbane. This program has been going on and off for around 20 years. At one stage it was held only once a month but over the last year it has been resurrected to once a week.

If anyone has been to Govindas in Brisbane they would know it is downtown in busy Elizabeth Street. The schedule starts with bhajans and the mantras are projected on a screen behind the kirtan leaders. This is followed by a short presentation of the Krsna Conscious philosophy with more chanting and prasadam feast.